Page 37 of The Monster at the End of This Molt

A disco beat seemed to pulse from the cabin walls, though I couldn't see the magical speakers. She grabbed Ernie and Lemon by the hand and dragged them to the center of the living room, between a sofa and a large television screen.

"Dance."

Lemon stared at Ernie for a moment, seemingly frozen in place. Silently, I urged Clementine to say something to get them to move.

My brother surprised me by taking Lemon's hands in his and raising them up to his shoulders. "Like this," he whispered.

"I see." Lemon stepped closer, and they swayed to the music. "This is nice."

When the song ended, Lemon's head rested on Ernie's shoulder. Lemon’s back was to us, but Ernie … Ernie looked happier than I had ever seen him.

"You're mates," Alma said. "Your scents have already changed since you've been dancing. Your stripes …" She examined Lemon's wrists and neck. "I've seen your coloration before. Did your omega father have a high fever when you were gestating?"

He nodded.

"Your stripes will change to more closely match Ernie's, but they won't be as dark."

Clementine grinned maniacally.

"Do you feel comfortable staying with Ernie as you get to know each other, or would you prefer a room in the omega wing of the fortress?"

Lemon shook his head. "That place is too big and scary for me. Is your cabin like this one?" he asked Ernie.

"Yes." When Ernie nodded, his whole body swayed. "I have a nice futon where you can sleep."

"Nice my ass," I interjected. "As in, my ass still hurts from playing video games with you two weeks ago."

"Really?" Ernie's grin turned downright evil. "It's not from getting fucked by your alpha last night?"

"You do not play fair."

"Boys!" Clementine drew her hand, claws out, across her throat, the universal sign for "shut up before I kill you both."

Alma shook her head, but she didn't look too upset. "My girls are still too young to pick up your horrible language habits."

"Still, we should go." Clementine hugged Alma, and then it was my turn. Even though she was well over a century old, she still felt hale and strong in my arms.

Ernie was next to give her a hug, and Lemon stood awkwardly for her embrace before she shooed us out the door, back to Ernie's cabin to "Try it out for the next few days."

Lemon and Ernie walked ahead this time, hand-in-hand, whispering like long-lost friends. My heart swelled to see my brother so happy, and with Lemon. The omega didn't have the best start in life, but he was a survivor. He deserved all the love and kindness my brother could deliver. I also hoped he could put up with Ernie's crass jokes and bathroom humor.

"That pink dragonet was in my dream." Clementine sighed. "Maybe it wasn't about me at all."

I circled her shoulders with my arm and pulled her against me. "You'll find your mate. I know you will."

She nodded. "I hope so. Where he's from, there's this great place I can make my laboratory."

I leaned my head on her shoulder and chuckled. "You are the only kobold I know who would love her mate more for the location than their personality."

"He's a beta," she whispered. "And if he looks anything like how he looked in my dreams, I will love him for his body and the location." She nudged me with her hip. "The dream wasn't long enough to determine his personality."

"That's the best part of having a fated mate," I said. "They're the perfect fit. Other folks might disagree, but when you meet them, you know."

"I always knew Weld was perfect for you," she said. "He's mean to everyone else, but he's so patient and kind to you."

"He isn't mean. He's afraid." I blinked. Saying the words aloud showed me the truth in them. My mate avoided attachment in The Meadows. He expected rejection here at The Pavilion. Because he and Tuft had lost their eggs, he was terrified to try again. He had so many understandable fears, and no one judged him as harshly as he judged himself.

Speaking of my wonderful mate, he sat on the porch swing, reading a book as Ernie and Lemon approached. He lifted his head, and I raised my hand in a wave. He grinned at me, but then his head jerked to the couple in front of us. He sniffed the air, and then he disappeared. His book fell to the floor with a clatter.

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